Dan Bluemel: Food lines being under attack is nothing new in LA. Three years ago, a similar campaign, led by business interests and residents in the Skid Row area downtown, managed to shut one food line down and threaten several others.

Dan Bluemel: Citing a growing effort by local governments to use laws and business improvement districts to target the homeless and mold poorer neighborhoods in the interests of businesses and the wealthy, advocates say a state law is necessary to protect the basic rights of homeless citizens.

Dan Bluemel: Members of SEIU and striking fast food workers got an earful on creativity last week when they attended an event put on by Beautiful Trouble, a project that educates activists on the art of creative direct action.

Dan Bluemel: “They locked us in like dogs,” he said. “No restrooms, no hygiene facilities, no food, no cold water — it’s probably 93 degrees out here today — and then they make us wait there for an hour.”

Dan Bluemel: Now, at nearly 60 years of age, she is broke, beset with medical issues, unemployed and homeless. She currently stays at various homes of friends, but has had to spend a few nights in her car.

Dan Bluemel: Being routinely stopped by police and searched for no apparent reason, or followed through a neighborhood only to be asked why they are there, are indignities the average white person will likely never suffer.

Dan Bluemel: Modjeski’s husband exercises three hours a day. Since being in isolation, his memory, at 38 years of age, has begun to fail him. It’s the little things that are beginning to slip away, like how to spell simple words.

The Body Politic

Dave Zirin: She is our Jordan. She is our Jim Brown. She is our Babe Ruth, calling his shots. She is no longer content to dodge bullets, but understands how to stop them. Serena is that rare athlete who has not only mastered her sport. She’s harnessed it.